Question:
What treatment have you received for iron deficiency anemia?
I'm still trying to gather as much information as possible. It would be helpful for me to know what other wls patients are doing for their anemia. My PCP is still insisting that mine is due to a GI bleed even though the occult blood test came back negative. I have an appointment with the GI dr. on Monday. In the meantime they aren't doing anything - no iron pills or injection and I'm feeling like crap! They said no iron because it can stain the lining of the stomach interfering with the view on the scope. I sent my test results to my surgeon. The first time I called I was told he was off that day. Today when I called she tells me he is on vacation till the 21st! I asked if the other doctor in the office could review them and she said "I suppose so." I have a headache that won't go away, am so tired I can hardly move and am having dizzy spells. I'm trying to decide if I should call the ONE hematologist we have in town to see if I can get an appointment without asking my PCP. With my insurance I don't need a referral. Any input is appreciated. Thanks, Georgia — georgiacarol (posted on February 9, 2006)
February 9, 2006
I had a complete work-up with a hematologist. She felt the best for me was
to undergo 8 weeks of iron infusions, which I did twice a week for a total
of 16 infusions. My hemoglobin level was 7.7 when I started and I got it
up to 14. Within a month of no treatments, it had come down to 13. I'm
solving the underlying problem next month with a total hysterectomy after
trying other less-invasive procedures. I'm not sure how I'll fair after
that - but I'm hopeful this is it! From a GI standpoint, I was just fine.
— Terri S.
February 9, 2006
Hi Georgia. I don't have any advice for you, but wanted to wish you my
best. I hope they find the source of the anemia and get you feeling better
soon!
Cathy
— kittycathy64
February 9, 2006
Hi Georgia
I am going through this same thing right now... I feel exactly the same
way... I have begged my GB doc for infusions to build my iron level back up
and then put me back on the pill after Im better... But for some reason he
want do it... He just upped my Dossage....I made an appointment with my
Cancer Doc this week and he took his Own blood work and is going to see how
low it actually is ...Then he will talk with my GB doc about shots and/or
infusions to build me back up.... I had complete Historectomy in 95.... and
Cancer surgery in Dec of 2000 ...And gastric bypass in march 05...I had to
have a blood transfusion during Cancer surgery... I was born animic ...
This is my story...I hope that it helps you in some small way... Good
Luck!
Flo [email protected]
— Flo
February 9, 2006
Most normal RNY MUST take Iron (Ferrous Fumurate) VitronC is suppose to be
a good one. This is seperate from your multi. I had low Iron for years
post RNY; I just switched to Ferrous Fumurate 325 (from walgreens
pharmacist) its a HIGH poten iron - I went from 14 to 54 in one month.
— star .
February 9, 2006
You can buy Vitron C over the counter. I have ben started on it as my iron
levels were low as were my RBC's, Hemaglobin and Hematocrit. I take it
twice a day. It is combined with Vitamin C to aid with absorption. When
taking any form of iron, things like milk, calcium supplements, caffeine
will interfere with absorption and we all know we as much help with the
absorption. A consult with a hematologist will benefit you because they can
monitor the levels more closely and transfuse if needed. Call tomorrow and
try to get in ASAP. If the dizziness continues or worsens, go to the ER.
Hang in there. Shelly
— scharlier
February 9, 2006
My Dr just had me take extra iron pills
— wildbrat
February 9, 2006
I was given iron shots every five days and that raised my levels in a few
weeks. If they arent willing to give you iron then I would suggest taking
powder vitamin c and sublingual b12 these two things increase your uptake
of iron. And eat spinach and lean red meats that is if you are pre op or
way post.
— spykitty
February 9, 2006
If you don't need a referral I would try to get an appointment ASAP,
otherwise go to the ER and let them know how your feeling and maybe they
will run the right test. I wouldn't wait much longer to handle this. Iron
is one of the major defeciencies we have due to WLS and some do need via
infusion versus the tablets. Good luck and I hope you are feeling better
soon. In addition I would follow up with your surgeon if the other surgeon
doesn't get back to you because he needs to know that issues that are
critical aren't being handled by his office staff. The squeaky wheel gets
the oil. I firmly believe this.
— dlryanoates
February 10, 2006
You didn't say how far out you are or how you were addressing your iron
before now. Personally, I think even proximals and bands should start on
150 mg (elemental iron). You are malabsorbing iron, so presumably you were
not taking enough or the right kind (that your body likes) or perhaps
taking it with things that cancel it out? As far as WHY you are anemic,
your duodenum is bypassed. End of story. Can we get iron orally? Most of
us can, eventually, after trying every iron out there, learning to isolate
it with C (plain, cheap C, not ester C) and figuring out the correct
dosage. If you tune onto the Grad list
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Graduate-OSSG), you will hear many
discussing their iron shots or infusions. Several have persisted with oral
irons and eventually gotten their levels to stabilize and space their
injectible iron out further and further. I am radically distal and have
maintained good iron levels all along, but I use Tender Iron and watch my
iron, ferritin and H&H like a hawk since I fully expect to take a dive,
after a lifetime of anemia. Makes NO sense to be 11.5 yrs out from distal
and be iron-healthier than I was even as a young adult. And to the person
who used Vitron C (66mg elemental) and swtiched to 325mg, please note that
325mg is iron salts and the elemental iron is still appx 65mg. Still,
that's what I mean by swtiching irons until you find your mate.
— vitalady
February 11, 2006
Thanks for all your replies. Your support is amazing and exactly what I
needed. I'm going to go the appointment with the GI dr. on Monday and
listen to what he has to say. But I am also going to bring up the
malabsorption issues and the fact that I am still menstruating. I don't
know if my PCP overlooked that little fact in trying to determine where my
blood loss is coming from. In fact my periods are heavier than they used to
be. Add that to the malabsorption and that is a big factor in the anemia in
my book. I am also going to insist on iron injections or an infustion one
way or another. I called the hematologist and they won't see me without a
referral from my PCP even if my insurance doesn't require it.
Thanks again for your support!
— georgiacarol
February 13, 2006
Take OTC B12 3-4 times per day. Your body can get a lot of the iron you
need from food if you B-12 levels are high enough. If not, they will not
hold Iron no matter how much you supplement. Try the B-12 strips at
Wal-Mart they are cherry flavored and melt like the breath strips. Here
they are $1.66 for 24 strips and I take 3-4 per day so I use one per week.
My iron was at 34 in December when I started using them, within one week it
was up to 42 with no iron supplementation at all. Hope this helps you
too............Hugs.
— wealthgvr
February 14, 2006
Georgia
my iron levels were low about 6 months post op so my doc has me on ferrous
sulfate once a day and now am about 1 yr 1/2 out and still taking it. it
seems to not go down so i dont know if i will be on the meds forever or not
sorry i couldn't help
Darlene
— babyblues62
February 15, 2006
Georgia, I know I'm responding late to your question but wanted to reply.
I was hospitalized a few weeks ago because of a GI bleed. I lost 6 pints
of blood and my iron level was at 6.1 and my blood pressure was 80/50 when
I was released from the hospital. I was instructed to drink massive
amounts of water and was prescribed Hemocyte plus tablets for iron. I had
my blood drawn again Monday and will have my results this coming monday to
see if the levels have improved. I'm certain they have as I feel much
better, but I need to know how much the levels have risen. Good luck to
you.
— RebeccaP
February 20, 2006
Chloraphyll is available at a heath foord store. this help more then any
iron i ever took.it comes in liquid or small gel caps. i take 2 twice a
day.i had 2 units of blood and refuse to take anymore. this has been
working great. all the Best! Tracey
— traceybubbles
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